Exercise mode and attentional networks in older adults: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background Previous studies have indicated that physical exercise enhances attentional function; however, the relationship between exercise mode and attentional networks has not been clarified for older adults (>60 years old). This study aimed to investigate the relationship between attentional networks and different exercise modes in older adults. Methods Two hundred and fifty-nine participants aged between 60 to 81 years were enrolled and classified into three groups (closed-skill group, open-skill group, or sedentary control group) using an exercise-related questionnaire. All participants completed an attention network test (ANT), which measured executive control, orienting, and alerting networks. Results The open-skill group had significantly higher executive network efficiency compared to the closed-skill (p < 0.01) and sedentary (p < 0.01) groups. The closed-skill group had significantly higher values compared to the sedentary control group (p < 0.05). Differences were not detected among groups for alerting and orienting networks (p > 0.05). The open-skill group had significantly higher values compared to the sedentary control group regarding proportion score of executive network (p < 0.01). In comparison, no significant differences were detected among groups for proportion scores of alerting and orienting networks. Conclusion This study extends current knowledge by demonstrating that open-skill exercises selectively enhance the executive control of attentional networks in older adults. Open-skill exercises combines physical exercise and cognitive training, potentially representing a more effective exercise mode to maintain or enhance attentional function in older adults.

Comparison of the effects of open- and closed-skill exercise on cognition and peripheral proteins: A cross-sectional study

“…A cross-sectional study showed that regular open-skill exercise promotes executive functions, likely due to various sport training characteristics that involve more complex cognitive processes [ 12 ]. Similarly, open-skill exercise had been demonstrated to improve executive network efficiency compared to closed-skill exercise [ 13 ]. This improvement in the attentional system component has been interpreted as a result of the open skill exercise combining physical exercise and cognitive training at the same time [ 14 ].…”

The Impact of Practicing Open- vs. Closed-Skill Sports on Executive Functions—A Meta-Analytic and Systematic Review with a Focus on Characteristics of Sports

“…After title and abstract screening, 26 titles remained for full-text search. Eighteen records were excluded because of the following reasons: (1) they had already been referenced in previous reviews (n = 11; [ 8 , 22 , 26 , 30 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]), (2) data were not available even after requesting it from the corresponding author (n = 3; [ 6 , 44 , 45 ]), (3) EF measure was included only for higher EFs (n = 1; [ 46 ]), (4) the EFs were categorized in an inappropriate form (n = 1; [ 25 ]), or (5) the identified record was an intervention or treatment study (n = 2; [ 47 , 48 ]), or no differences for OSE vs. CSE were calculated (n = 1; [ 49 ]). Three additional records were identified by cross-checking the references in the studies during full-text screening (third strategy).…”

“… Forest plot for the efficacy of OSE compared to CSE (ordered according to the specified effect size); RE = random effect model [ 8 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 30 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. …”

“… Forest plots of subgroup analysis (OSE vs. CSE); RE = random effect model [ 8 , 25 , 26 , 27 , 30 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 42 , 43 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ]. …”

Effects of Open-Skill Exercises on Cognition on Community Dwelling Older Adults: Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial

“…The target stimuli are five horizontal arrows that serve as flankers. Participants will be instructed to respond to the central arrow as fast and as accurately as possible [ 39 , 40 ].…”